Gerald flies to Falklands

Aldershot MP Gerald Howarth flew out to The Falkland Islands this week to represent the Speaker of The House of Commons at a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the British victory there.

Aldershot MP Gerald Howarth flew out to The Falkland Islands this week to represent the Speaker of The House of Commons at a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the British victory there.

Gerald was accompanied by 200 ex-military veterans of the conflict, which saw the invading Argentinians roundly defeated.

Former locally-based soldiers with the MP include those from units like two and three Para, 7 Para RHA and The Welsh Guards.

The highlight will be an emotional ceremony on Saturday at The Liberation Monument which commemorates the hundreds of British servicemen who died.

The event is being organised by Capt Rick Jolly, who set up and operated a field hospital in terrible conditions during the conflict, operating while an unexploded bomb lay on the roof.

Gerald said his main regret was that he would be unable to be present at local war memorial ceremonies this weekend - Remembrance Sunday.